West End screening: Panter Hudspith breathe new life into London’s Trocadero

London architects Panter Hudspith have transformed the Trocadero centre in Piccadilly into the flagship venue of the Picturehouse Cinemas chain.

The late 19th-century Grade II listed building had a glorious past as Scott’s restaurant and the Lyons Corner House, but had been much abused in recent times. In the 1980s it became home to a rather tired entertainments complex.

This is not the first such conversion that the London-based firm, Panter Hudspith, have tackled. The architects have turned a string of difficult or neglected buildings into Picturehouses across greater London and the UK. They have worked the same magic at this latest site, collaborating this time with famed restaurant designer Martin Brudnizki, who coincidentally designed the current Scott’s. 

Architecturally, the real crowd-pleaser at Picturehouse Central is the vast oak-clad, red-tiled staircase leading from the double-height foyer on the ground to the first floor. The Cineworld chain operated from the Trocadero until last year, so Panter Hudspith has upgraded the existing auditoria with larger screens, better sound systems and steeper tiering for the new reclining seats. Brudnizki has decked out the café and restaurant areas with mid-century modern style tables, chairs, sofas and banquettes, some of which was designed by his studio.

Picturehouse Cinemas, whose programme includes foreign language and independent films and documentaries, prides itself on its art house status. It appeals to the tertiary-educated middle classes, and its sophisticated muted colour palette reflects that.

Meanwhile original friezes by Arts and Crafts artist Gerald Moira have been relit and are on view as visitors ascend the escalator up to the members’ bar on the top three floors, which opens later this summer